Why Acupuncture is good for your heart September 6, 2024 taotohealth Previous Post First of all, our heart is the hardest working muscle in our body. It pumps blood which carries oxygen and nutrients to all our organs, muscles and the brain to keep our body functioning 24/7. The heart muscles also need to get good blood flow back to the heart. There’s a saying in East Asian medicine, “bu tong zi tong, tong zi bu tong (Chinese)” which translates to “where there is obstruction, there is pain; and where there is free flow, there is no pain.” This is evidenced in coronary artery disease (heart attacks), deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, stroke, and many other serious illnesses resulting from increasing blockages. Our bodies produce a neurotransmitter and gas compound called nitric oxide (NO) that is essential to heart health. It’s not a secret that nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator that can increase blood flow which helps regulate blood pressure and modulates immune function. But did you know that acupuncture stimulates the production of nitric oxide? Yes, there are numerous studies on acupuncture stimulating the release of NO and other important neurotransmitters. Just do a simple online search typing in “acupuncture and nitric oxide” and you’ll get an impressive list of studies. With aging, our bodies slow down and produce neurotransmitters at a slower and lesser degree. There are supplements and foods you can consume to support the body’s production of nitric oxide. However, with acupuncture, the body gets a jumpstart where your cells are stimulated to produce nitric oxide feeling the effects of increased blood flow within minutes. Many of my patients who received acupuncture for the first time noted how they could feel the blood flowing through their body, in somewhat disbelief as their body would relax deeply. Acupuncture is another effective resource to prevent heart disease and keep your heart healthy and happy. The diagram below illustrates how nitric oxide helps modulate the immune response and benefit the gastrointestinal system. Hence, acupuncture can benefit your health in both short and long term. Share this article: Integrative Health Perspective Related Tags acupuncture benefitsgastrointestinal systemheartheart healthimmune responsemind-bodynitric oxide Previous Post
ANXIETY: From an Integrative Health Perspective June 24, 2020 taotohealth Previous PostNext Post It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it is the one most adaptable to change. Charles Darwin Stress-induced anxiety is at an all-time high throughout the world as the covid-19 pandemic is reshaping our society and erasing any sense of normalcy. Every aspect of life is literally in flux creating change and uncertainty. From an Eastern perspective, the five phases or five elements principle is used to help us understand and manage changes. The 5 phases principle explains how qi cycles through the five stages/phases of transformation based on the cyclical patterns of change in natural phenomena as seen in the seasonal cycle. The 5 phases can help us understand and manage our emotions. The diagram below shows the emotions that usually correspond with each of the five phases (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Wood). You’ll see there are two different “emotions” for each phase. For instance, inspiration and anger correlate with the wood phase. When the mind and body are aligned, balanced and adaptable, inspiration springs forth. When the body and mind are out of balance or emotions become excessive and static; the emotion of anger may ensue rather than inspiration. Or when thoughts become obsessive, or we worry too much, excessive emotions can disrupt digestion or lead to a sense of suffocation causing panic attacks. For people who tend to be more extroverted, the stress and anxiety from being locked down may be more intense. Here are some simple ways to help manage stress that are FREE: Turn off the news The news and social media bombard the mind with information that focuses on the past or speculates on the future. The mind chatter grows louder and the mind becomes restless, creating a body-mind imbalance where obsessive thoughts can lead to anxiety, negative emotions and sleepless nights. So, unplug from the news and social media buzz. Limit the time you spend consuming news. Be Sensible—Use your senses Spend more time on activities using your five senses (see, smell, hear, touch and taste) to get back into the present reality and back into your body. Really focus on each of the senses to ground you. Look for signs of the natural world—grass, tree, clouds, the moon, birds flying… Smell the aroma of your favorite drink Carefully listen and identify all the surrounding noises; or listen to your favorite song Touch/feel the texture of your skin or your favorite shirt Taste and enjoy the bite of your favorite dish This exercise gives a visceral reminder that you are alive and well. Stay Connected Reach out to someone you care about and who cares about you. They are only a phone call away. Time spent communicating and sharing experiences can give you the emotional and mental support to weather through these challenging times. And it’s gratifying to know that you can give moral support by listening compassionately. If you’d like more natural health tips, subscribe to our updates! Share this article: Integrative Health Perspective Related Tags 5 elementsanxietycovid-19emotionsmanage stressmind body Previous PostNext Post